About the Bromsgrove area

With a history dating back to the ninth century, Bromsgrove was the birthplace of the world-famous Bromsgrove Guild, a highly successful craft guild that built the gates of Buckingham Palace. Modern Bromsgrove has been economically revitalised by the emergence of new business and technology parks.

Situated 22 miles outside of Birmingham, Bromsgrove has a population of around 92,000 people. The town is perfect for commuters due to excellent transportation links. An extensive bus and train system make it easy to travel to Birmingham, Worcester and surrounding areas.

The public transport system combined with varied employment opportunities, a wide selection of leisure activities and education options, the Bromsgrove housing market has continued to grow. There are approximately 39,164 houses in this area. 3,226 of these houses are new, having been built since 2001.

Neighbourhoods

Located in a scenic semi-rural district, the majority of Bromsgrove’s land has been designated ‘Green Belt.’ The town itself is primarily divided into North and South Bromsgrove.

First-time buyers are able to find properties within their budget throughout the town. The regeneration of the Bromsgrove Train Station has made Aston Fields, Breme Park and Finstall up and coming neighbourhoods.

Barnt Green, Dodford, Burcot, Stoney Hill and Lickey End are considered some of the most affluent neighbourhoods in Redditch. These areas are particularly attractive because of their proximity to local amenities and local schools

Sales market comment

Over the last year, property prices have been increasing, positively affecting both purchases and construction. Higher prices give current owners a chance to sell their home and make back the deposit they need for their next home purchase. This increase in prices may also convince buyers who had been on the side lines because of uncertainties about the direction of home prices that now is the time to buy.

Residents purchasing their second home tend to favour Aston Fields, Finstall, The Oakalls, Lickey End and Catshill. All Saints Place, Breme Park and The Oakalls are relatively new developments in Bromsgrove, offering a variety of terraced, semi-detached and detached properties.

Here is a more detailed list of the types of property available for sale in each neighbourhood:

Lettings market comment

As the demand for private rented property has increased, rental prices have also risen in all areas. The high demand and quick turn-around of most properties allow Landlords to hold out for asking prices.

Tenants prefer the neighbourhoods of Breme Park, Aston Fields, the Oakalls and the town centre. The proximity of these areas to the train station and other transport links ensures high returns for landlords. Because these properties are recently built, they are low maintenance and attract young professionals between the ages of 20 and 35. The popularity of these neighbourhoods allows Landlords to command a higher price without the need to negotiate. Investing here would ensure a good return.

Transport

Bromsgrove benefits from access to M5 junction 4 and junction 5, M42 junction 1, and A38. Through these motorways, residents can easily travel to the Birmingham Airport and National Exhibition Centre, as well as catch the M40 to London. The Bromsgrove Highway and M42 provide quick access to Redditch and other nearby towns.

There is also an extensive network of bus services throughout the town and a train station in Aston Fields that runs to Birmingham, Worcester and the surrounding areas, making Bromsgrove ideal for commuters.

Education and schools

Homeowners and rent tenants with children often prioritise living within a catchment area for a particular school. Accordingly, proximity to certain schools impacts the pricing structure of the housing stock. Prices tend to be higher in affluent, up and coming neighbourhoods such as Aston Fields, Lickey End, Finstall and Dodford.

Bromsgrove schools operate on a three-tier system, with students first beginning school around age four or five, middle school at age nine and secondary school at thirteen. The most popular schools are Finstall First School, Dodford First School, Aston Fields Middle School and South Bromsgrove High School. There is also a private boarding school, Bromsgrove School, open to both local children and international students wishing to study in the UK.

Local attractions and facilities

The Bromsgrove Town Centre has a host of independent and chain shops, with regularly scheduled high street and farmers markets. The Artrix is Bromsgrove’s centre for the arts, housing both a theatre and cinema.

The town hosts the Bromsgrove Avoncroft Cricket Club, the Bromsgrove Rovers F.C. and the Bromsgrove Rugby Football Club - home of one of the oldest rugby clubs in the country. There are also three main sports centres: the Ryland Centre, the Dolphin Centre and David Lloyd.

Found just outside the centre, Sanders Park provides residents with a tennis court, basketball court, children’s play area and skate park. The town is also close to the Lickey, Waseley and Clent Hills, ideal locations for walks through the Worcestershire countryside.

Employment

Bromsgrove has made exciting economic progress with the development of a technology corridor along the A38. Here, new technology parks such as Buntsford Hill and Bromsgrove Technology Park have created numerous employment opportunities. Aston Fields and Harris’ Business Park have also boosted the local economy.

The majority of Bromsgrove residents work in managerial, senior officer and professional positions. A large part of the workforce is also employed in the education and automotive parts manufacturing sectors.

Milly's tip: "I love that it’s a reasonably small town, so whilst there are a lot of amenities, it’s also really easy to get to the more semi-rural parts of Bromsgrove and surrounding areas, such as the Lickey Hills, Dodford and Clent Hills which offer lovely walks."